Dorros, Arthur.Abuela.Puffin, 1997.40 Pages.Age2-6. Genre: Contemporary Fantasy.Language: English This is a colorfully illustrated book; Arthur Dorros presents the story of a girl named Rosalba and her grandmother having an adventure over Manhattan.He says he wasn’t born a writer, but started off just turning pages and eating some of his first books.He was influenced in writing when his parents took him on a road trip to Florida where he enjoyed an alligator farm.He often went to the library to find new adventures in exploring the outside world.His mother encouraged his drawings, and his grandmother was a great story teller.This is how he came up with Abuela. He also has written many books such as Numero Uno, Under the Sun, and many others. The setting takes place in Manhattan where Rosalba’s imagination takes her and her grandmother goes flying over tall buildings.This book can be read aloud or alone.This book is full of vibrant watercolors.It is also filled with Spanish words and phrases.This book promotes joy, celebration, and it depicts an adventure of warm-heartedness over a multiethnic city.It also provides a glossary for pronunciation and definitions.Excellent book!
Reviewed by:Maria Trejo June 23, 2008
Ryan, Pam Muñoz.Esperanza Rising.Pura Belpré Award.288 Pages. Ages: 9-13.Genre: Young Adult.Language: English
This remarkable story depicts the life of Esperanza, daughter of a wealthy father who suddenly dies; now Esperanza and her mother venture off to a new land and new life.Pam Muñoz Ryan, has written over twenty-five books for young people including the novel, Esperanza Rising, winner of the Pura Belpré Medal, the Jane Addams Peace Award, an ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults, and the Americas Award Honor Book. Her novel, Riding Freedom has garnered many awards including the national Willa Cather Award, and the California Young Reader Medal. Her picture books for the very young and picture books for older readers include the award-winning Amelia and Eleanor Go For A Ride and When MarianSang, the recipient of the ALA Sibert Honor and NCTE's Orbis Pictus Award. She was born and raised in Bakersfield, California and received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees at San Diego State University. She now lives in north San Diego County with her husband and four children. This well depicted book illustrates that we should not take for granted what we have, because at any giving moment it can be taken away from us.This book is about immigration assimilation set in the era of the Depression.The story remakes the life of Esperanza, (her name which means hope), where she confronts physical hardships, economic problems, illness, difficult romance and starting over.This book is clearly great classroom discussion, pleasurable, eye opening, and well written.I see the many activities that can be associated with Esperanza Rising. Reviewed by:Maria Trejo June 20, 2008 Freymann, Saxon.How Are You Peeling.Arthur Levine 1st edition, 1999.48 Pages. Ages: 4-8.Genre: Picture Book.Language: English
In this colorful illustrated picture book, Saxon Freymann presents wild food sculptures that show each emotion expressively with vivid colors.Saxon a painter, in 1997, heard a publisher was looking for someone to carve food beyond the table garnish.His talent began here; experimenting on fruits and vegetables using an x-acto knife he transformed them into emotive faces and amusing animals.The characters come out of the vegetable or fruit.His sculptures are determined with products in the produce aisles.Freymann’s How Are You Peeling: Mood for Food is winner of National Parenting Publications Award and New York Times Best Illustrated; One Lonely Sea Horse; Dog Food is winner of an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award; and Baby Food, among several other books. He currently resides in New York, New York. This book is one of my favorite books.I find Saxon’s sculptures are very expressive.It covers everything from anger to happiness.It also uses a rhyming text that is funny and simple.This book is easy text that will start a great conversation between the adult and child.This book promotes food and cooking, but most importantly, it promotes emotional and social development.I recommend this book to any student and teacher.
Reviewed by:Maria Trejo June 23, 2008 Paulsen, Gary. The Hatchet.Newbery Honor, 1987.192 Pages. Ages: 9-12.Genre: Survival.Language: English
This dramatic survival book by Gary Paulsen describes the of a boy learning how to survive after his pilot of the plane has a heart attack and dies; Brian has to land the day plane and survive for 54 days in the wilderness.Gary Paulsen writes almost all his stories from his life experiences.His father was a soldier, so they were always moving from base to base.Gary states, “It was a miserable life”.Gary came from a poverty stricken family.One day when he was selling newspapers he discovered his light in the midst as he ends up in front of a library where he first experiences reading books.Since then Gary was mesmerized with reading.He would go to the basement near the furnace and read to drown out the fights and arguments of his parents.Growing up and beginning his writing career Gary had an alcohol problem, but in 1973 he overcame his alcoholism where he began writing again.In 1977, he published The Foxman an antiwar story.In 1986, he won the Newbery Honor Award for Dogsong.In 1987, The Hatchet also won the Newbery Honor Award.Gary has an autobiography detailing his painful childhood memories called Eastern Sun, Winter Moon as well as memoirs with dogs called My Life in Dog Years.He now lives in Willow, Alaska, where’s he is back to running dogs. Gary Paulsen is a great writer and an inspiration for others. This book illustrates the wonders of how do we survive in such unfortunate incidents.How would of we reacted or even survived.This book is an edge of your kind of book.I did not want to put the book down it had me in suspense and wanting more.It opened my eyes to life and death situations.I would highly recommend this book to my students.As I was reading my mind was fluttering with tons of activities regarding this book such as vocabulary, descriptive writing, etc. Loved it! Reviewed by:Maria Trejo June 20, 2008 Endredy, James. The Journey of Tunuri And The Blue Deer.Bear Cub Book, 2003.32 Pages. Ages: 6-9.Genre: Traditional Literature.Language: English
This full colored book by James Endredy describes the indigenous Huichol culture of a journey of a boy who gets lost in the woods and realizes what his life tasks are as he finds his way back home. James Endredy is a teacher, mentor, and guide to thousands of people through his books and workshops. After a series of life tragedies and mystical experiences as a teenager he changed direction from his Catholic upbringing and embarked on a life-long spiritual journey to encounter the mysteries of life and death. For over twenty-five years he has learned shamanic practices from all over the globe, while also studying with kawiteros, lamas, siddhas, roadmen, and leaders in the modern fields of ecopsychology, bioregionalism, and sustainable living. James also worked for ten years with Mexican shamanic researcher Victor Sanchez learning to share shamanic practices with modern people.He writes, leads workshops, mentors private clients, visits schools and community centers, speaks at bookstores, and volunteers in his community. His books have been published in four languages.James continues to develop the Earth Spirit Foundation.James also is a nationally certified Wilderness First Responder this is to ensure the safety of his activities. This colorfully illustrated book teaches about the tale of the Huichol Indian tribe and symbolism of images.It truly depicts the treasure of this indigenous culture.I love the way the magical deer introduces him to Father Sun, Mother Earth and others finding his back to human life.His mission of life as he realizes through this journey is to be the connection with the spiritual world and human world.I like this story very much I feel it promotes cultural awareness and nature-based spirituality.I could see myself using this book for multicultural activities.
Reviewed by:Maria Trejo June 20, 2008 Orozco, Jose-Luis.Diez Deditos.Puffin:Bilingual Edition, 2002.56 Pages. Ages: 4-8.Genre: Non-fiction. Language: English
This beautifully illustrated book by Jose-Luis Orosco illustrates an English and Spanish song book told through rhyme and fun.Mr. Orosco was born and raised in Mexico City.At the age of 8 he had joined the Children’s Choir and began his journey throughout Latin America and the United States were late he became an children’s author, recording artist, song writer, and bilingual educator.He has a M.A in multicultural education.One of his books Rin, Rin, Rin…Do, Re, Mi was one of the 1st book series to be published and distributed through Scholastics as a Latino Initiative.He also created a video and DVD entitled Cantamos y Aprendemos filled with animation and used to motivate children to learn about the Spanish language and traditions of Latin American children’s music.In 2003, Mr. Orosco was invited by First Lady, Laura Bush to Washington D.C. during the festivities of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus were he was honored.His Lirica Infantil books and recordings are circulated world wide.He also is recognized as an expert in children’s music and is featured as a guest speaker in many educational conferences and also at seminars; this is to show his expertise to use as a tool in multicultural classrooms.He continues his great work from were he and his family live in the San Francisco Bay area. This has been definitely one of my favorite books.The reason is all the music is in Spanish and English.This book illustrates hand movements, musical notes, song, rhythm, and Latin rhyme.The illustrations on the pages are bright, colorful, and fun and most importantly they demonstrate celebration.Beautifully written and illustrated I would definitely use this book in my classroom setting because I feel it promotes friendship and great self-esteem.I could see myself using this book for many activities.
Reviewed by:Maria Trejo June 20, 2008 Lober, Arnold.Frog and Toad Are Friends.Caldecott Honor Award, 1979.64 Pages. Ages: 4-8.Genre: Chapter Book.Language: English This fun and warm book presented by Arnold Lober is the first of the series of The Frog and Toad stories.Arnold was born a storyteller. Arnold grew up with his grandmother in Schenectady, NY.He wrote and or illustrated nearly 100 books.In 1981, had a Caldecott Medal book (fables); In 1971, Caldecott Honor Books for Frog and Toad are Friends; In 1972, Caldecott Honor Book for Hildilid’s Night by Cheli Duran Ryan; In 1973, Frog and Toad Together won the Newbery Honor Award.His greatest credit according to Arnold “was the millions of young children with whom he shared the humor and vision of life”.Unfortunately in 1987 we lost a great author/illustrator. This book is very enjoyable to read.Mr. Lober has done great with this first book of the series.Each book contains 5 short stories.It depicts the adventures that frog and toad share as good friends.Such adventures include, flying a kite or cleaning a messy house as opposed to leaving it for tomorrow.These two characters are very different; frog is tall, green, friendly and much laid back; toad is short, brown, serious and irritable.It is true what they say sometimes, “Opposites attract”.I enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend this book.I can’t wait to read the other books in this series.
Reviewed by:Maria Trejo June 24, 2008
Cannon, Jannell.Stellaluna.Harcourt Children’s Books; 1st Edition, 1993. 46 Pages.Ages: 4-8.Genre: Picture Story Book.Language: English This book is very colorful and well illustrated.Jannell Cannon presents the story of a fruit bat that ends up getting adopted by some birds.Janell was born in 1957, in St. Paul, Minnesota.Janell Cannon has always admired creatures that have been misunderstood:spiders, bats, dragons and snakes.She developed award-winning summer reading programs about these unusual animals.She is a self-taught artist and writer.Her love of animals inspired her to write other famous books such as, Stellaluna; hoping to transform the fear of bats into having affection for them; and Verdi; a hatched vibrant yellow python with zigzagged stripes, determined not to turn green like the rest of his family.These books have become best sellers.She has many more ideas planned with animals that make people uncomfortable.Janell Cannon writes her best sellers from her home in southern California, which she shares with her two pets, a cat and a parrot. This is a good book for pictures and the story.These pages are vividly colored.Jannell tells a story of a fruit bat that ends up falling into a birds nest after the mother is attacked by an owl.The birds accept her as own of their own but her world is turned upside down when she realizes that there is a difference amongst them but at the same time they are very much alike.She wonders why she hangs from her feet.Confused, Stella Luna likes playing with insects and the birds like eating them.But in the end she is relieved to find out that she is a bat!I think this book promotes not being judgmental; that even though we are different we are in ways very much alike.I think this is a good book to read to children. I would definitely recommend it has the attention of students and great conversation starter. Reviewed by: Maria Trejo June 23, 2008
Cisneros, Sandra.The House On Mango Street.Before Columbus Foundation’s American Book Award, 1985.128 Pages.Ages: 10-14.Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction.Language: English
In this book, Sandra Cisneros presents her life growing up in a poor neighborhood, always moving from place to place.Until one day her parents bought a home, but it wasn’t at all how she imagined.Her picture of the dream house was with a white picket fence and green grass all over.Sandra was born in Chicago in 1945.She was born of a Mexican father and Chicana mother.She recalls the moving around a painful experience.Cisneros found her outlet in writing in high school were she wrote poetry and was literary magazine editor.Cisneros work various jobs with the Chicano community, including teaching high school drop outs.She then returned to writing and in 1991 she wrote Woman Hollering Creek which won the PEN Center West Award for Best Fiction, the Quality Paperback Book Club New Voices Award, Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, and the Lannan Foundation Literary Award.After winning the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship she returned to Texas to continue her writing.Sandra has sold owe 2 million copies of The House on Mango Street.She will be celebrating on April 1st, 2009 the 25 year anniversary of this book. This book has been one of my least favorite books.I know she tells the life of a Mexican heritage growing up in the poverty ridden streets, but I found no real story line behind the story.Even though I know that this book is a required reading book in middle schools, high schools, and universities
Reviewed by:Maria Trejo June 23, 2008 DeAngeli, Marguerite. Yonie Wondernose.Caldecott Honor, 1945.48 Pages. Ages: 4-8.Genre: Historical Fiction Language: English
•March 14, 1889-Born in Lapeer, Michigan •1904 – Entered High School as a singing major where she was paid $1 per week •1908 – Married and later with 6 children •1916 – moved to Detroit where Marguerite found time from art lessons •1921 – Marguerite met Maurice Bower, an illustrator, who became her mentor •1922 – She was hired to illustrate Presbyterian and Baptist school papers •1935 – Using her own children as models, Marguerite wrote her first book, Ted and Nina Go to the Grocery Store •1938 – Copper –Toed Boots, first published book of her father’s boyhood in •1950 – Door in The Wall, wins Newbery Medal •1971 – Marguerite’s autobiography, Butter at the Old Price, was published •1979 – Governor Milliken declared her 90th Birthday, Marguerite deAngeli Day •1981 – The library in Lapeer, Michigan was renamed the Marguerite deAngeli Branch Library •1984 – Inducted into Michigan’sWomen’s Hall of Fame •June 16, 1987 – The life of the greatest author/illustrator ended.
A classic picture storybook featuring everyone's favorite "Amish Curious George"! Seven-year-old Yonie is a wonder nose because he can't keep his nose out of anything. It seems that his nose is always getting him into trouble. When his parents go away overnight, he's left as the man of the house and promised a special reward if he can keep himself and the farm out of trouble. But that night a bad storm brings trouble--the kind that not even a full-grown man could handle easily. This is the second of deAngeli's books with the Pennsylvania Dutch County as a setting. Reviewed by:Maria Trejo 6/21/08
Field, Eugene. Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.Puffin Unicorn, 1982.27 Pages.Ages 3-6.Genre: Picture book.Language: English In this colorful illustrated book, Eugene Field presents his poem in a bedtime story. So docile and sweet it is told in a magical way.It illustrates two brothers and sister taking a magical journey to the sea and their imaginations takes them soaring through the sky as 3 fishermen.Eugene Field is known as “The Children’s Poet” Eugene Field was born in 1850 in Saint Louis.He had a brother named Roswell, who was 1 year younger than he and a sister who shortly died after birth.Eugene hated to study and was afraid of the dark.Their mother passed away when he was 6 years of age.Eugene was sent to live with his aunt and it was there when he wrote his first poem at the age of 9, about Fido, the cousin’s dog.Eugene married at the age of 16 and had 8 children.While married, Eugene had many jobs then he was hired for The Chicago Daily News as a humorous columnists called “Sharps and Flats”.In 1895, Eugene Field died. He has accomplished everything he wanted and written many poems.He will be mostly remembered for being a children’s poet who rhymed all his poems.Some of his famous poems are “Wynken, Blynken and Nod” (A Dutch Lullaby); “The Duel”; and “Little Boy Blue”. This children’s picture book was very colorful for a bedtime story.It was about 3 children getting lost in their imaginations taking a ride in a wooden shoe across the sky.The sky representing a big blue sea filled with tons of fishes which were actually the stars.The moon was sort of their fairy god moon and asked where the wanted to go and the children responded to, “Fish for herring fish”.The book represented a beautiful bond between siblings and showed their closeness to one another.The book illustrated a woman that was portrayed as the wind, kind of a mother figure type.Showing the tenderness they felt from their mother as they came back home it was that in actuality they had already fallen asleep together.The theme clearly represents family togetherness and a beautiful and magical imagination as children should have at a young age.I really enjoyed all the well illustrated and colorful pictures.I would definitely recommend this as a good bedtime picture book. Reviewed by:Maria Trejo(May 30, 2008) Cannon, Janell.Trupp.Harcourt Brace & Company, 1995.48 Pages.Ages 4-8.Genre: Picture story book.Language: English This book has very colorful illustrations of a white , blue-eyed cat-like animal.Janell Cannon presents a story of this creature leaving his cave to see what is beyond, where he meets and encounters humans in the city.Janell was born in 1957, in St. Paul, Minnesota.Janell Cannon has always admired creatures that have been misunderstood:spiders, bats, dragons and snakes.She developed award-winning summer reading programs about these unusual animals.She is a self-taught artist and writer.Her love of animals inspired her to write other famous books such as, Stellaluna; hoping to transform the fear of bats into having affection for them; and Verdi; a hatched vibrant yellow python with zigzagged stripes, determined not to turn green like the rest of his family.These books have become best sellers.She has many more ideas planned with animals that make people uncomfortable.Janell Cannon writes her best sellers from her home in southern California, which she shares with her two pets, a cat and a parrot. I didn’t really know how to react to this book.It had me feeling that the story of this cat-like creature that borrows clothes from a scarecrow to go to the city and associate with humans was quite awkward.Trupp discovers that he goes unnoticed by everyone except a homeless woman named Bernice.She helps him out when he is all alone in this big city.I found that there is no point to the story unless the author was meaning to introduce the homeless story line.I believe that this would be a difficult book for a child to understand.I personally would only introduce the book to students if they were certain issues on homelessness aroused. Reviewed by:Maria Trejo(May 30, 2008) Greenburg, Dan. The Zack Files: Through the Medicine Cabinet.Grosset & Dunlap, 1996.57 Pages.Ages 9-12.Genre: Chapter book.Language: English In this black and white illustrated book, Dan Greenburg presents one of his series book.The books are inspired by his son Zack.These series lets you travel through the imagination of Zack and his dad.Dan Greenburg was born 1936, in Chicago, IL. Dan has 35 career years known for his success as a novelist, journalist, humorist, screenwriter, and playwright.He has talent in writing series books.The Zack Files, has a combination of humor and paranormal things of interest.He created these books so kids like Zack would enjoy.His work has been translated into 19 languages and the books are available in 22 countries.The book is so popular it was converted into a science fiction television series.He graduated with a bachelor arts degree from University of Illinois and his M.A from UVLA.His son Zack played the title role in the movie LORENZO’S OIL.Mr. Greenburg resides in Westchester County, New York.He has won the following awards: Former award-winning ad copywriter (Ad. Writers Association of NY Silver Key Awards, 1964 and 1972); Managing editor of Eros Magazine,1962 -1963, which, inspired his later contributions to the nude musical "Oh, Calcutta" (1972); Achieved national acclaim with bestseller "How to Be a Jewish Mother" in 1964. This was followed by "Scoring: A Sexual Memoir", 1972; "Something's There: My Adventures in the Occult", 1976; and "Confessions of a Pregnant Father", 1987. With former wife Suzanne O'Malley co-wrote "How to Avoid Love and Marriage" in 1983. I really enjoyed this story in a trip into the imagination of a 10 year old boy who looks in the medicine cabinet looking for his retainer, where he discovers a boy who is very similar to himself.Confused and curious he is sucked through the cabinet into a parallel universe where everything is similar but somewhat different.For example, he was from New York and it was Newer York over there, New York is known as the big apple and over there it was known as the big banana, the boy’s name is Zack and the other boy was Zeke, just a little different.The stories actually involve both dad and son.I would definitely recommend these series books to students only so that they can learn to be creative thinkers and learn how to expand their imaginations.I have also seen some of the series of the science fiction TV program, very interesting and fun to watch. Reviewed by: Maria Trejo(May 31, 2008) Dalgiesch, Alice. The Courage of Sarah Noble.Charles Scribner's Sons: Newbery Honor, 1954.55 Pages.Ages 9-12.Genre: Historical Fiction.Language: English In this book, Alice Dalgiesch presents the story of an eight year child and her father going to the woods to build a home for their family.The book is genuinely demonstrates the love and faith between the child and her father.Alice was born October 7th, 1893, in Trinidad.Alice grew up with Sir Walter Scott novels.She began writing at the age of six and at the age of fourteen won her first award, a 5-pound box of chocolates from a magazine for her writing.In 1912, she came to America where she received her master’s degree at the Teacher’s College at Columbia University.While being a teacher she also began teaching a course in children’s literature.There after she became the editor for Charles Scribner and Sons.Her book was praised for its accuracy and detail as well as the creation of believable characters and dramatic plots.Two of her books of historical fiction won prizes: The Courage of Sarah Noble (1954) and The Bears on Hemlock Mountain (1952) won Newbery Honors.Ms. Alice Dalgiesch passed away in June of 1979. This is truly as many would classify, and American classic.I thought the book was very simple to read but had a great story.Sarah could only think of her mother’s words as the two set out to their adventure in building their home for their family.Sarah was the oldest of her siblings and she went with her father to cook and accompany him.Sarah was terrified, because she did not know what to expect, especially, with the thought of Indians.Once she came in contact with Indians she did not believe of the stories said by many about Indians.Her father returned home to bring the rest of the family and she stayed with an Indian family who welcomed her as if she were one of their own.The whole time Sarah had to be strong and remembered her mother’s words, Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble.Keep up your courage.This book is very inspiring for children.This book expresses thoughts of courage, love, faith, friendship, compassion, and good sentimental values.I would definitely recommend this book to any student.I would also use this book as a goodnight story. Reviewed by:Maria TrejoJune 3, 2008 Hopkins, Lee Bennett. “Oh, No! Where Are My Pants?” and other Disasters: HarperCollins, 2005.32 Pages.Ages 4-8.Genre: Poetry Language: English In this colorful illustrated poem book, Lee Bennett Hopkins presents fourteen poems that relate to everyday emotions for children.Excellently, this poetry book light heartedly gives different scenarios of real life situations.Lee is a legendary poet and anthologist who is one of the nation’s foremost spokesperson for children’s poetry. Lee’s first anthology of poetry for children appeared in l969: Don’tYou Turn Back: Poems by Langston Hughes (Knopf). He also taught elementary school.He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania.In 1989 he received the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion for "outstanding contributions to the field of children's literature".He is also the recipient of the Christopher Award.Lee Bennett Hopkins's poetry anthologies include Marvelous Math, which won a Parents' Choice Gold Award.Mr. Hopkins lives in Westchester County, New York, and Cape Coral, Florida. I really enjoyed this book.I find that these poems help children identify with certain life situations that eventually have been through or one day will go through.They have certain emotions pertaining to how it feels when a child has lost their pet, how it feels when their best friend moves away, how it feels when someone makes fun of you for mispronouncing a word in class.This book would be great to use with the classroom to open up situations that maybe have happened already and it can be used as a tool for a talking circle.I would definitely use this book of poems in my classroom one day.Its light heartedness would come in handy with the students. Reviewed by:Maria Trejo(May 31, 2008) Joose, Barbara, M.Mama, Do You Love Me?Chronicle Books: Golden Kite Award, 1991.32 Pages.Ages 4-8.Genre: Picture story book.Language: English. In this very colorful well illustrated picture story book, Barbara Joosse presents the story of a mother and her child.They are from the Inuit Culture and the pictures illustrate the Arctic Tundra, clothing, landscapes, environments, animals, and the perspectives of the culture.Barbara Joose was inspired from a trip that she took in 1997 to Kenya and Uganda where she socialized with the Maasai.Barbara M. Joosse lives in a small stone house beside a wide creek in Wisconsin. This is where her passion came out towards children and she began to write children’s books.Her first book being, “Papa, Do You Love Me?”This book inspired her to continue writing children’s’ books and has a total of 28 children’s books.She was won several recognitions and awards for “Mama, Do You Love Me?”won the Golden Kite award; Parents, best book of the year; A Storytime book; Children’s Book of the Month Club, Main Selection; American Bookseller, “Pick of the Lists”; School Library Journal, Starred Review; and Association of Booksellers for Children, Children’s Choices Selection. I really enjoyed the book, I find her interpretation very sensitive to the million dollar question that many children often have, “how much do you love me?”I find this book awesome for the fact that it tells the story of a little girl wondering how unconditional is the love of a parent?She comes up with different scenarios that are not that pleasing to the mother, and still questions even if I do this will you still love me?The story tells of the love and affection the mother has toward her child.The book has great pictures showing the different clothes, the culture, different animals that reflect the Inuit culture and wildlife.It also has many new vocabulary words and in the back has the glossary for the terms.Overall, very rich and colorful pictures and has great story behind the devotion and reassurance of the love that a parent has towards their children. Reviewed by:Maria Trejo(May 30, 2008) Kline, Suzy. Horrible Harry and the Purple People.Viking Penguin, 1997. 53 Pages.Ages 4-8.Genre: Chapter book.Language: English In this chapter book, Suzy Kline presents the story of a boy who has a vivid imagination in his classroom.Harry the main character claims to see purple people in the class.Mary, one his classmates thinks he is crazy and is only making the whole thing up.Suzy Kline was born 1943, in Berkeley, California.Her first writing experiences were when she was eight years old.Her grandfather lived 3000 miles away and was home sick so she wrote to him to tell him what was going on in her household, sort of keeping him posted.Her aunt said this would keep her grandfather alive longer.Suzy devoted most of her adult life as a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher.She retired in June 2000, where she now writes full-time and visits schools and libraries.She is married and has two daughters.Suzy now resides in Connecticut.Kline’s first books for children were picture books.Her most popular were Shhhh!,Don’t Touch!, and Herbie Jones.She has won many awards which includes the following: Best books, Christian Science Monitor, 1985, and West Virginia Children's Book Award, 1987-88, for Herbie Jones; Editor's Choice, Booklist, 1986, for What's the Matter with Herbie Jones?; International Reading Association Children's Choice Awards, 1986, for Herbie Jones, 1987, for What's the Matter with Herbie Jones?, 1989, for Horrible Harry in Room 2-B, 1990, for Orp, and 1991, for Orp and the Chop Suey Burgers; School District Teacher of the Year Award, State of Connecticut, 1987; Probus Educator of the Year Award, 1988 This black and white illustration shows the appreciation for classroom antics.It reflects on the different personalities and behaviors of the students.The book was truly enjoyable.The students learn to solve their own problems within the classroom.They don’t see eye to eye at times but in the end the friendships are worth saving.They prove to be good friends till the end.The story begins to unravel when the teacher reads to them the story of Alice in Wonderland and decides that the class will also have a tea party.So Harry says that he will invite a purple person to the party.Mary, obviously irritated gets upset and makes fun of Harry.Harry has a great imagination and it is appreciated by the teacher, adding that her class much needs the some silliness once in a while.Its humor is harmless in the end but tries to state a good moral, in a funny way.Overall, this is a good book for students of this age group. I would encourage students to read the series of books. Review by: Maria Trejo(May 31, 2008) dePaola, Thomas Anthony. Helga’s Dowry.Harcourt Brace & Company, 1977.32 Pages.Ages 4-8.Genre: Contemporary Fantasy.Language: English In this trollish fairytale, Tomie de Paola, illustrates the story of a troll that wants to marry Lar, but because she has no dowry he is destined to marry her sister Inge.Helga was said to be the loveliest troll in three parishes, but she was also the poorest. This book clearly represents a clever troll who workshard for what she wants and then realizes that what she wants is clearly not worth it.Tomie dePaola, knew what he wanted to do from the age of 4.Tomie would tell anyone who listened that his dream was to write books and draw pictures for them.Forty years later, Tomie has illustrated well over 200 books and written over 100 stories of those books.He has sold over 6 million copies of his books.His books have been published in 15 different countries.Tomie has received almost every recognition in the book world. Winning the Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona; the Newbery Award for 26 Fairmont Avenue”; and the Living Treasure from New Hampshire Governor’s Arts Award.Tomie is also popular for his autobiographical stories based on his young life.Mr. dePaola is also an Art Professor.Tomie is a popular speaker that has been profiled and interviewed by many print, radio media, and TV.He know lives and works on his 200-year-old barn in New London, New Hampshire. I loved this story because it had a good moral to the story.Tomie dePaola illustrates in this book very vivid pictures of the trolls.Helga, the main character is determined to get what she wants.She is horrified by the fact that Lar the one who asked for her hand in marriage is destined to marry her sister Inge only because she is rich.When Helga learns of this she confronts Lar and he pretty much tells her he is sorry but that a handsome troll man like himself needs to be rich so he is ultimately going to marry her sister who is the richest besides the troll king. Helga is scared of the fact that the God One-eyed Odin stated 1000 years ago, that all unmarried trolls would wander the earth forever. Helga was determined to make her own riches so she can come back to marry Lar and she tells him to wait for her.She leaves and is clever in earning all her riches by working hard and out clevering the other trolls that want to out clever her.She is approached by her sister Inge in the midst of all Helga’s hard work just to tell her that she will be marrying Lar the next day.Infuriated, Helga works harder and earns a dowry bigger than her sister’s and returns back.Lar hears of her dowry that is now bigger than Inge’s and tells her that he will marry her after all.She is very upset and shouts at him that he never loved her and was interested only for her riches, and she tells him that she would never marry him and preferred to wander the earth forever.She wanted someone to love her for who she was, and not for what they had.In the end, ultimately she ends up marrying the troll king and lives happily ever after.I applaud Tomie dePaola for the good morals in the story.Also, the theme of love and not material things goes recognized. Reviewed:Maria Trejo(May 30, 2008) Bernier-Grand, Carmen T.César ¡Sí, se Puede!MarshallCavendish Children's Books, Pura Belpré Honor, 2004.48 Pages.Ages 4-8.Genre: Poetry.Language: English This poem book tells the life of a once very famous and courageous man who stood up for what he believed to be justice.This book retells the inspiring life of Césario Estrada Chávez.Carmen T. Bernier-Grand born in 1947, wrote her first story in second grade but was discouraged by words from her sister and did not write again until her children were born in 1981.Carmen has two children. She is a poet and a politician in Puerto Rico.Carmen is married to a Canadian.The book, “Cesar “won the Pura Belpré Honor Award.She has also been recognized for the following: Eloise Jarvis McGraw Award Finalist, American Library Association Notable, Notable Social Studies Trade Book, and Notable Book for a Global Society, and the Tomas Rivera Mexican-American Children’s Book Award Nominee. This book has wonderful illustratedcolor pictures.She presents a powerful biography of Césario Estrada Chávez in chronological order.The poetic story begins when he is a child and finishes up to how he became this powerful organizer of people rights.The story has a lot of Spanish words and has a glossary in the back of the book.The pictures are beautifully illustrated.This book is an excellent source of information and describes all the core values that Chávez possessed.He represented equality for people, community, knowledge, determination, sacrifice, innovation, respect for life and environment.He made a change for “La Causa”“The Cause”.This book would be inspiring to any student within the classroom. I would use this book in my classroom. Reviewed by:Maria Trejo(May 31, 2008) Andreae, Giles. Barnyard Hullabaloo.Little Tiger Press, 1999.24 Pages.Ages 4-8.Genre: Picture Book.Language: English This book is beautifully colorful.It is a book of barnyard animals that details what there sounds and habits are.Giles Andreae describes this with huge pictures of the animals.He uses rhymes in this book and scatters his words out as to give personality to the animals. Giles, born in 1966, lives with his wife and four children in London.He has written well over 100 children’s books.Giles’s first creation was Purple Ronnie, being one of the most successful licensed cartoon characters in his native England.This book earned him recognition in the U.K as top selling living poet and he was also an icon of contemporary pop culture.The Lion Who Wanted to Love won the Red House Best Picture Book Award in 1998; Giraffes Can’t Dance has become established as an international children’s classic. Giles’s children’s book has sold more than 2 million copies, making him one of the most successful children’s authors today. I really enjoyed looking and reading at this books.Its big pictures illustrated a fun-loving personality for all of the barnyard animals.It animated them by stating the sounds that each animal make.This book is great for younger children.It used rhyming words to detail what each animal liked doing.It also describes the activity that the animals do both inside and outside of the barnyard.He brings life to the book. Reviewed by: Maria Trejo(May 30, 2008)
Dorros, Arthur. Abuela. Puffin, 1997. 40 Pages. Age2-6.
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy. Language: English
This is a colorfully illustrated book; Arthur Dorros presents the story of a girl named Rosalba and her grandmother having an adventure over Manhattan. He says he wasn’t born a writer, but started off just turning pages and eating some of his first books. He was influenced in writing when his parents took him on a road trip to Florida where he enjoyed an alligator farm. He often went to the library to find new adventures in exploring the outside world. His mother encouraged his drawings, and his grandmother was a great story teller. This is how he came up with Abuela. He also has written many books such as Numero Uno, Under the Sun, and many others.
The setting takes place in Manhattan where Rosalba’s imagination takes her and her grandmother goes flying over tall buildings. This book can be read aloud or alone. This book is full of vibrant watercolors. It is also filled with Spanish words and phrases. This book promotes joy, celebration, and it depicts an adventure of warm-heartedness over a multiethnic city. It also provides a glossary for pronunciation and definitions. Excellent book!
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo
June 23, 2008
Ryan, Pam Muñoz. Esperanza Rising. Pura Belpré Award. 288 Pages.
Ages: 9-13. Genre: Young Adult. Language: English
This remarkable story depicts the life of Esperanza, daughter of a wealthy father who suddenly dies; now Esperanza and her mother venture off to a new land and new life. Pam Muñoz Ryan, has written over twenty-five books for young people including the novel, Esperanza Rising, winner of the Pura Belpré Medal, the Jane Addams Peace Award, an ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults, and the Americas Award Honor Book. Her novel, Riding Freedom has garnered many awards including the national Willa Cather Award, and the California Young Reader Medal. Her picture books for the very young and picture books for older readers include the award-winning Amelia and Eleanor Go For A Ride and When Marian Sang, the recipient of the ALA Sibert Honor and NCTE's Orbis Pictus Award. She was born and raised in Bakersfield, California and received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees at San Diego State University. She now lives in north San Diego County with her husband and four children.
This well depicted book illustrates that we should not take for granted what we have, because at any giving moment it can be taken away from us. This book is about immigration assimilation set in the era of the Depression. The story remakes the life of Esperanza, (her name which means hope), where she confronts physical hardships, economic problems, illness, difficult romance and starting over. This book is clearly great classroom discussion, pleasurable, eye opening, and well written. I see the many activities that can be associated with Esperanza Rising.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo
June 20, 2008
Freymann, Saxon. How Are You Peeling. Arthur Levine 1st edition, 1999. 48 Pages.
Ages: 4-8. Genre: Picture Book. Language: English
In this colorful illustrated picture book, Saxon Freymann presents wild food sculptures that show each emotion expressively with vivid colors. Saxon a painter, in 1997, heard a publisher was looking for someone to carve food beyond the table garnish. His talent began here; experimenting on fruits and vegetables using an x-acto knife he transformed them into emotive faces and amusing animals. The characters come out of the vegetable or fruit. His sculptures are determined with products in the produce aisles. Freymann’s How Are You Peeling: Mood for Food is winner of National Parenting Publications Award and New York Times Best Illustrated; One Lonely Sea Horse; Dog Food is winner of an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award; and Baby Food, among several other books. He currently resides in New York, New York.
This book is one of my favorite books. I find Saxon’s sculptures are very expressive. It covers everything from anger to happiness. It also uses a rhyming text that is funny and simple. This book is easy text that will start a great conversation between the adult and child. This book promotes food and cooking, but most importantly, it promotes emotional and social development. I recommend this book to any student and teacher.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo
June 23, 2008
Paulsen, Gary. The Hatchet. Newbery Honor, 1987. 192 Pages.
Ages: 9-12. Genre: Survival. Language: English
This dramatic survival book by Gary Paulsen describes the of a boy learning how to survive after his pilot of the plane has a heart attack and dies; Brian has to land the day plane and survive for 54 days in the wilderness. Gary Paulsen writes almost all his stories from his life experiences. His father was a soldier, so they were always moving from base to base. Gary states, “It was a miserable life”. Gary came from a poverty stricken family. One day when he was selling newspapers he discovered his light in the midst as he ends up in front of a library where he first experiences reading books. Since then Gary was mesmerized with reading. He would go to the basement near the furnace and read to drown out the fights and arguments of his parents. Growing up and beginning his writing career Gary had an alcohol problem, but in 1973 he overcame his alcoholism where he began writing again. In 1977, he published The Foxman an antiwar story. In 1986, he won the Newbery Honor Award for Dogsong. In 1987, The Hatchet also won the Newbery Honor Award. Gary has an autobiography detailing his painful childhood memories called Eastern Sun, Winter Moon as well as memoirs with dogs called My Life in Dog Years. He now lives in Willow, Alaska, where’s he is back to running dogs. Gary Paulsen is a great writer and an inspiration for others.
This book illustrates the wonders of how do we survive in such unfortunate incidents. How would of we reacted or even survived. This book is an edge of your kind of book. I did not want to put the book down it had me in suspense and wanting more. It opened my eyes to life and death situations. I would highly recommend this book to my students. As I was reading my mind was fluttering with tons of activities regarding this book such as vocabulary, descriptive writing, etc. Loved it!
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo
June 20, 2008
Endredy, James. The Journey of Tunuri And The Blue Deer. Bear Cub Book, 2003. 32 Pages.
Ages: 6-9. Genre: Traditional Literature. Language: English
This full colored book by James Endredy describes the indigenous Huichol culture of a journey of a boy who gets lost in the woods and realizes what his life tasks are as he finds his way back home.
James Endredy is a teacher, mentor, and guide to thousands of people through his books and workshops. After a series of life tragedies and mystical experiences as a teenager he changed direction from his Catholic upbringing and embarked on a life-long spiritual journey to encounter the mysteries of life and death. For over twenty-five years he has learned shamanic practices from all over the globe, while also studying with kawiteros, lamas, siddhas, roadmen, and leaders in the modern fields of ecopsychology, bioregionalism, and sustainable living. James also worked for ten years with Mexican shamanic researcher Victor Sanchez learning to share shamanic practices with modern people. He writes, leads workshops, mentors private clients, visits schools and community centers, speaks at bookstores, and volunteers in his community. His books have been published in four languages. James continues to develop the Earth Spirit Foundation. James also is a nationally certified Wilderness First Responder this is to ensure the safety of his activities.
This colorfully illustrated book teaches about the tale of the Huichol Indian tribe and symbolism of images. It truly depicts the treasure of this indigenous culture. I love the way the magical deer introduces him to Father Sun, Mother Earth and others finding his back to human life. His mission of life as he realizes through this journey is to be the connection with the spiritual world and human world. I like this story very much I feel it promotes cultural awareness and nature-based spirituality. I could see myself using this book for multicultural activities.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo
June 20, 2008
Orozco, Jose-Luis. Diez Deditos. Puffin:Bilingual Edition, 2002. 56 Pages.
Ages: 4-8. Genre: Non-fiction. Language: English
This beautifully illustrated book by Jose-Luis Orosco illustrates an English and Spanish song book told through rhyme and fun. Mr. Orosco was born and raised in Mexico City. At the age of 8 he had joined the Children’s Choir and began his journey throughout Latin America and the United States were late he became an children’s author, recording artist, song writer, and bilingual educator. He has a M.A in multicultural education. One of his books Rin, Rin, Rin…Do, Re, Mi was one of the 1st book series to be published and distributed through Scholastics as a Latino Initiative. He also created a video and DVD entitled Cantamos y Aprendemos filled with animation and used to motivate children to learn about the Spanish language and traditions of Latin American children’s music. In 2003, Mr. Orosco was invited by First Lady, Laura Bush to Washington D.C. during the festivities of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus were he was honored. His Lirica Infantil books and recordings are circulated world wide. He also is recognized as an expert in children’s music and is featured as a guest speaker in many educational conferences and also at seminars; this is to show his expertise to use as a tool in multicultural classrooms. He continues his great work from were he and his family live in the San Francisco Bay area.
This has been definitely one of my favorite books. The reason is all the music is in Spanish and English. This book illustrates hand movements, musical notes, song, rhythm, and Latin rhyme. The illustrations on the pages are bright, colorful, and fun and most importantly they demonstrate celebration. Beautifully written and illustrated I would definitely use this book in my classroom setting because I feel it promotes friendship and great self-esteem. I could see myself using this book for many activities.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo
June 20, 2008
Lober, Arnold. Frog and Toad Are Friends. Caldecott Honor Award, 1979. 64 Pages.
Ages: 4-8. Genre: Chapter Book. Language: English
This fun and warm book presented by Arnold Lober is the first of the series of The Frog and Toad stories. Arnold was born a storyteller. Arnold grew up with his grandmother in Schenectady, NY. He wrote and or illustrated nearly 100 books. In 1981, had a Caldecott Medal book (fables); In 1971, Caldecott Honor Books for Frog and Toad are Friends; In 1972, Caldecott Honor Book for Hildilid’s Night by Cheli Duran Ryan; In 1973, Frog and Toad Together won the Newbery Honor Award. His greatest credit according to Arnold “was the millions of young children with whom he shared the humor and vision of life”. Unfortunately in 1987 we lost a great author/illustrator.
This book is very enjoyable to read. Mr. Lober has done great with this first book of the series. Each book contains 5 short stories. It depicts the adventures that frog and toad share as good friends. Such adventures include, flying a kite or cleaning a messy house as opposed to leaving it for tomorrow. These two characters are very different; frog is tall, green, friendly and much laid back; toad is short, brown, serious and irritable. It is true what they say sometimes, “Opposites attract”. I enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend this book. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo
June 24, 2008
Cannon, Jannell. Stellaluna. Harcourt Children’s Books; 1st Edition, 1993.
46 Pages. Ages: 4-8. Genre: Picture Story Book. Language: English
This book is very colorful and well illustrated. Jannell Cannon presents the story of a fruit bat that ends up getting adopted by some birds. Janell was born in 1957, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Janell Cannon has always admired creatures that have been misunderstood: spiders, bats, dragons and snakes. She developed award-winning summer reading programs about these unusual animals. She is a self-taught artist and writer. Her love of animals inspired her to write other famous books such as, Stellaluna; hoping to transform the fear of bats into having affection for them; and Verdi; a hatched vibrant yellow python with zigzagged stripes, determined not to turn green like the rest of his family. These books have become best sellers. She has many more ideas planned with animals that make people uncomfortable. Janell Cannon writes her best sellers from her home in southern California, which she shares with her two pets, a cat and a parrot.
This is a good book for pictures and the story. These pages are vividly colored. Jannell tells a story of a fruit bat that ends up falling into a birds nest after the mother is attacked by an owl. The birds accept her as own of their own but her world is turned upside down when she realizes that there is a difference amongst them but at the same time they are very much alike. She wonders why she hangs from her feet. Confused, Stella Luna likes playing with insects and the birds like eating them. But in the end she is relieved to find out that she is a bat! I think this book promotes not being judgmental; that even though we are different we are in ways very much alike. I think this is a good book to read to children. I would definitely recommend it has the attention of students and great conversation starter.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo
June 23, 2008
Cisneros, Sandra. The House On Mango Street. Before Columbus Foundation’s American Book Award, 1985. 128 Pages. Ages: 10-14. Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction. Language: English
In this book, Sandra Cisneros presents her life growing up in a poor neighborhood, always moving from place to place. Until one day her parents bought a home, but it wasn’t at all how she imagined. Her picture of the dream house was with a white picket fence and green grass all over. Sandra was born in Chicago in 1945. She was born of a Mexican father and Chicana mother. She recalls the moving around a painful experience. Cisneros found her outlet in writing in high school were she wrote poetry and was literary magazine editor. Cisneros work various jobs with the Chicano community, including teaching high school drop outs. She then returned to writing and in 1991 she wrote Woman Hollering Creek which won the PEN Center West Award for Best Fiction, the Quality Paperback Book Club New Voices Award, Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, and the Lannan Foundation Literary Award. After winning the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship she returned to Texas to continue her writing. Sandra has sold owe 2 million copies of The House on Mango Street. She will be celebrating on April 1st, 2009 the 25 year anniversary of this book.
This book has been one of my least favorite books. I know she tells the life of a Mexican heritage growing up in the poverty ridden streets, but I found no real story line behind the story. Even though I know that this book is a required reading book in middle schools, high schools, and universities
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo
June 23, 2008
DeAngeli, Marguerite. Yonie Wondernose.Caldecott Honor, 1945. 48 Pages.
Ages: 4-8. Genre: Historical Fiction Language: English
• March 14, 1889 - Born in Lapeer, Michigan
• 1904 – Entered High School as a singing major where she was paid $1 per week
• 1908 – Married and later with 6 children
• 1916 – moved to Detroit where Marguerite found time from art lessons
• 1921 – Marguerite met Maurice Bower, an illustrator, who became her mentor
• 1922 – She was hired to illustrate Presbyterian and Baptist school papers
• 1935 – Using her own children as models, Marguerite wrote her first book, Ted and Nina Go to the Grocery Store
• 1938 – Copper –Toed Boots, first published book of her father’s boyhood in
• 1950 – Door in The Wall, wins Newbery Medal
• 1971 – Marguerite’s autobiography, Butter at the Old Price, was published
• 1979 – Governor Milliken declared her 90th Birthday, Marguerite deAngeli Day
• 1981 – The library in Lapeer, Michigan was renamed the Marguerite deAngeli Branch Library
• 1984 – Inducted into Michigan’s Women’s Hall of Fame
• June 16, 1987 – The life of the greatest author/illustrator ended.
A classic picture storybook featuring everyone's favorite "Amish Curious George"! Seven-year-old Yonie is a wonder nose because he can't keep his nose out of anything. It seems that his nose is always getting him into trouble. When his parents go away overnight, he's left as the man of the house and promised a special reward if he can keep himself and the farm out of trouble. But that night a bad storm brings trouble--the kind that not even a full-grown man could handle easily. This is the second of deAngeli's books with the Pennsylvania Dutch County as a setting.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo
6/21/08
Field, Eugene. Wynken, Blynken, and Nod. Puffin Unicorn, 1982. 27 Pages. Ages 3-6. Genre: Picture book. Language: English
In this colorful illustrated book, Eugene Field presents his poem in a bedtime story. So docile and sweet it is told in a magical way. It illustrates two brothers and sister taking a magical journey to the sea and their imaginations takes them soaring through the sky as 3 fishermen. Eugene Field is known as “The Children’s Poet” Eugene Field was born in 1850 in Saint Louis. He had a brother named Roswell, who was 1 year younger than he and a sister who shortly died after birth. Eugene hated to study and was afraid of the dark. Their mother passed away when he was 6 years of age. Eugene was sent to live with his aunt and it was there when he wrote his first poem at the age of 9, about Fido, the cousin’s dog. Eugene married at the age of 16 and had 8 children. While married, Eugene had many jobs then he was hired for The Chicago Daily News as a humorous columnists called “Sharps and Flats”. In 1895, Eugene Field died. He has accomplished everything he wanted and written many poems. He will be mostly remembered for being a children’s poet who rhymed all his poems. Some of his famous poems are “Wynken, Blynken and Nod” (A Dutch Lullaby); “The Duel”; and “Little Boy Blue”.
This children’s picture book was very colorful for a bedtime story. It was about 3 children getting lost in their imaginations taking a ride in a wooden shoe across the sky. The sky representing a big blue sea filled with tons of fishes which were actually the stars. The moon was sort of their fairy god moon and asked where the wanted to go and the children responded to, “Fish for herring fish”. The book represented a beautiful bond between siblings and showed their closeness to one another. The book illustrated a woman that was portrayed as the wind, kind of a mother figure type. Showing the tenderness they felt from their mother as they came back home it was that in actuality they had already fallen asleep together. The theme clearly represents family togetherness and a beautiful and magical imagination as children should have at a young age. I really enjoyed all the well illustrated and colorful pictures. I would definitely recommend this as a good bedtime picture book.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo (May 30, 2008)
Cannon, Janell. Trupp. Harcourt Brace & Company, 1995. 48 Pages. Ages 4-8. Genre: Picture story book. Language: English
This book has very colorful illustrations of a white , blue-eyed cat-like animal. Janell Cannon presents a story of this creature leaving his cave to see what is beyond, where he meets and encounters humans in the city. Janell was born in 1957, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Janell Cannon has always admired creatures that have been misunderstood: spiders, bats, dragons and snakes. She developed award-winning summer reading programs about these unusual animals. She is a self-taught artist and writer. Her love of animals inspired her to write other famous books such as, Stellaluna; hoping to transform the fear of bats into having affection for them; and Verdi; a hatched vibrant yellow python with zigzagged stripes, determined not to turn green like the rest of his family. These books have become best sellers. She has many more ideas planned with animals that make people uncomfortable. Janell Cannon writes her best sellers from her home in southern California, which she shares with her two pets, a cat and a parrot.
I didn’t really know how to react to this book. It had me feeling that the story of this cat-like creature that borrows clothes from a scarecrow to go to the city and associate with humans was quite awkward. Trupp discovers that he goes unnoticed by everyone except a homeless woman named Bernice. She helps him out when he is all alone in this big city. I found that there is no point to the story unless the author was meaning to introduce the homeless story line. I believe that this would be a difficult book for a child to understand. I personally would only introduce the book to students if they were certain issues on homelessness aroused.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo (May 30, 2008)
Greenburg, Dan. The Zack Files: Through the Medicine Cabinet. Grosset & Dunlap, 1996. 57 Pages. Ages 9-12. Genre: Chapter book. Language: English
In this black and white illustrated book, Dan Greenburg presents one of his series book. The books are inspired by his son Zack. These series lets you travel through the imagination of Zack and his dad. Dan Greenburg was born 1936, in Chicago, IL. Dan has 35 career years known for his success as a novelist, journalist, humorist, screenwriter, and playwright. He has talent in writing series books. The Zack Files, has a combination of humor and paranormal things of interest. He created these books so kids like Zack would enjoy. His work has been translated into 19 languages and the books are available in 22 countries. The book is so popular it was converted into a science fiction television series. He graduated with a bachelor arts degree from University of Illinois and his M.A from UVLA. His son Zack played the title role in the movie LORENZO’S OIL. Mr. Greenburg resides in Westchester County, New York. He has won the following awards: Former award-winning ad copywriter (Ad. Writers Association of NY Silver Key Awards, 1964 and 1972); Managing editor of Eros Magazine,1962 -1963, which, inspired his later contributions to the nude musical "Oh, Calcutta" (1972); Achieved national acclaim with bestseller "How to Be a Jewish Mother" in 1964. This was followed by "Scoring: A Sexual Memoir", 1972; "Something's There: My Adventures in the Occult", 1976; and "Confessions of a Pregnant Father", 1987. With former wife Suzanne O'Malley co-wrote "How to Avoid Love and Marriage" in 1983.
I really enjoyed this story in a trip into the imagination of a 10 year old boy who looks in the medicine cabinet looking for his retainer, where he discovers a boy who is very similar to himself. Confused and curious he is sucked through the cabinet into a parallel universe where everything is similar but somewhat different. For example, he was from New York and it was Newer York over there, New York is known as the big apple and over there it was known as the big banana, the boy’s name is Zack and the other boy was Zeke, just a little different. The stories actually involve both dad and son. I would definitely recommend these series books to students only so that they can learn to be creative thinkers and learn how to expand their imaginations. I have also seen some of the series of the science fiction TV program, very interesting and fun to watch.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo (May 31, 2008)
Dalgiesch, Alice. The Courage of Sarah Noble. Charles Scribner's Sons: Newbery Honor, 1954. 55 Pages. Ages 9-12. Genre: Historical Fiction. Language: English
In this book, Alice Dalgiesch presents the story of an eight year child and her father going to the woods to build a home for their family. The book is genuinely demonstrates the love and faith between the child and her father. Alice was born October 7th, 1893, in Trinidad. Alice grew up with Sir Walter Scott novels. She began writing at the age of six and at the age of fourteen won her first award, a 5-pound box of chocolates from a magazine for her writing. In 1912, she came to America where she received her master’s degree at the Teacher’s College at Columbia University. While being a teacher she also began teaching a course in children’s literature. There after she became the editor for Charles Scribner and Sons. Her book was praised for its accuracy and detail as well as the creation of believable characters and dramatic plots. Two of her books of historical fiction won prizes: The Courage of Sarah Noble (1954) and The Bears on Hemlock Mountain (1952) won Newbery Honors. Ms. Alice Dalgiesch passed away in June of 1979.
This is truly as many would classify, and American classic. I thought the book was very simple to read but had a great story. Sarah could only think of her mother’s words as the two set out to their adventure in building their home for their family. Sarah was the oldest of her siblings and she went with her father to cook and accompany him. Sarah was terrified, because she did not know what to expect, especially, with the thought of Indians. Once she came in contact with Indians she did not believe of the stories said by many about Indians. Her father returned home to bring the rest of the family and she stayed with an Indian family who welcomed her as if she were one of their own. The whole time Sarah had to be strong and remembered her mother’s words, Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble. Keep up your courage. This book is very inspiring for children. This book expresses thoughts of courage, love, faith, friendship, compassion, and good sentimental values. I would definitely recommend this book to any student. I would also use this book as a goodnight story.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo June 3, 2008
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. “Oh, No! Where Are My Pants?” and other Disasters: HarperCollins, 2005. 32 Pages. Ages 4-8. Genre: Poetry Language: English
In this colorful illustrated poem book, Lee Bennett Hopkins presents fourteen poems that relate to everyday emotions for children. Excellently, this poetry book light heartedly gives different scenarios of real life situations. Lee is a legendary poet and anthologist who is one of the nation’s foremost spokesperson for children’s poetry. Lee’s first anthology of poetry for children appeared in l969: Don’t You Turn Back: Poems by Langston Hughes (Knopf). He also taught elementary school. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 1989 he received the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion for "outstanding contributions to the field of children's literature". He is also the recipient of the Christopher Award. Lee Bennett Hopkins's poetry anthologies include Marvelous Math, which won a Parents' Choice Gold Award. Mr. Hopkins lives in Westchester County, New York, and Cape Coral, Florida.
I really enjoyed this book. I find that these poems help children identify with certain life situations that eventually have been through or one day will go through. They have certain emotions pertaining to how it feels when a child has lost their pet, how it feels when their best friend moves away, how it feels when someone makes fun of you for mispronouncing a word in class. This book would be great to use with the classroom to open up situations that maybe have happened already and it can be used as a tool for a talking circle. I would definitely use this book of poems in my classroom one day. Its light heartedness would come in handy with the students.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo (May 31, 2008)
Joose, Barbara, M. Mama, Do You Love Me? Chronicle Books: Golden Kite Award, 1991. 32 Pages. Ages 4-8. Genre: Picture story book. Language: English.
In this very colorful well illustrated picture story book, Barbara Joosse presents the story of a mother and her child. They are from the Inuit Culture and the pictures illustrate the Arctic Tundra, clothing, landscapes, environments, animals, and the perspectives of the culture. Barbara Joose was inspired from a trip that she took in 1997 to Kenya and Uganda where she socialized with the Maasai. Barbara M. Joosse lives in a small stone house beside a wide creek in Wisconsin. This is where her passion came out towards children and she began to write children’s books. Her first book being, “Papa, Do You Love Me?” This book inspired her to continue writing children’s’ books and has a total of 28 children’s books. She was won several recognitions and awards for “Mama, Do You Love Me?” won the Golden Kite award; Parents, best book of the year; A Storytime book; Children’s Book of the Month Club, Main Selection; American Bookseller, “Pick of the Lists”; School Library Journal, Starred Review; and Association of Booksellers for Children, Children’s Choices Selection.
I really enjoyed the book, I find her interpretation very sensitive to the million dollar question that many children often have, “how much do you love me?” I find this book awesome for the fact that it tells the story of a little girl wondering how unconditional is the love of a parent? She comes up with different scenarios that are not that pleasing to the mother, and still questions even if I do this will you still love me? The story tells of the love and affection the mother has toward her child. The book has great pictures showing the different clothes, the culture, different animals that reflect the Inuit culture and wildlife. It also has many new vocabulary words and in the back has the glossary for the terms. Overall, very rich and colorful pictures and has great story behind the devotion and reassurance of the love that a parent has towards their children.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo (May 30, 2008)
Kline, Suzy. Horrible Harry and the Purple People. Viking Penguin, 1997. 53 Pages. Ages 4-8. Genre: Chapter book. Language: English
In this chapter book, Suzy Kline presents the story of a boy who has a vivid imagination in his classroom. Harry the main character claims to see purple people in the class. Mary, one his classmates thinks he is crazy and is only making the whole thing up. Suzy Kline was born 1943, in Berkeley, California. Her first writing experiences were when she was eight years old. Her grandfather lived 3000 miles away and was home sick so she wrote to him to tell him what was going on in her household, sort of keeping him posted. Her aunt said this would keep her grandfather alive longer. Suzy devoted most of her adult life as a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher. She retired in June 2000, where she now writes full-time and visits schools and libraries. She is married and has two daughters. Suzy now resides in Connecticut. Kline’s first books for children were picture books. Her most popular were Shhhh!, Don’t Touch!, and Herbie Jones. She has won many awards which includes the following: Best books, Christian Science Monitor, 1985, and West Virginia Children's Book Award, 1987-88, for Herbie Jones; Editor's Choice, Booklist, 1986, for What's the Matter with Herbie Jones?; International Reading Association Children's Choice Awards, 1986, for Herbie Jones, 1987, for What's the Matter with Herbie Jones?, 1989, for Horrible Harry in Room 2-B, 1990, for Orp, and 1991, for Orp and the Chop Suey Burgers; School District Teacher of the Year Award, State of Connecticut, 1987; Probus Educator of the Year Award, 1988
This black and white illustration shows the appreciation for classroom antics. It reflects on the different personalities and behaviors of the students. The book was truly enjoyable. The students learn to solve their own problems within the classroom. They don’t see eye to eye at times but in the end the friendships are worth saving. They prove to be good friends till the end. The story begins to unravel when the teacher reads to them the story of Alice in Wonderland and decides that the class will also have a tea party. So Harry says that he will invite a purple person to the party. Mary, obviously irritated gets upset and makes fun of Harry. Harry has a great imagination and it is appreciated by the teacher, adding that her class much needs the some silliness once in a while. Its humor is harmless in the end but tries to state a good moral, in a funny way. Overall, this is a good book for students of this age group. I would encourage students to read the series of books.
Review by: Maria Trejo (May 31, 2008)
dePaola, Thomas Anthony. Helga’s Dowry. Harcourt Brace & Company, 1977. 32 Pages. Ages 4-8. Genre: Contemporary Fantasy. Language: English
In this trollish fairytale, Tomie de Paola, illustrates the story of a troll that wants to marry Lar, but because she has no dowry he is destined to marry her sister Inge. Helga was said to be the loveliest troll in three parishes, but she was also the poorest. This book clearly represents a clever troll who works hard for what she wants and then realizes that what she wants is clearly not worth it. Tomie dePaola, knew what he wanted to do from the age of 4. Tomie would tell anyone who listened that his dream was to write books and draw pictures for them. Forty years later, Tomie has illustrated well over 200 books and written over 100 stories of those books. He has sold over 6 million copies of his books. His books have been published in 15 different countries. Tomie has received almost every recognition in the book world. Winning the Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona; the Newbery Award for 26 Fairmont Avenue”; and the Living Treasure from New Hampshire Governor’s Arts Award. Tomie is also popular for his autobiographical stories based on his young life. Mr. dePaola is also an Art Professor. Tomie is a popular speaker that has been profiled and interviewed by many print, radio media, and TV. He know lives and works on his 200-year-old barn in New London, New Hampshire.
I loved this story because it had a good moral to the story. Tomie dePaola illustrates in this book very vivid pictures of the trolls. Helga, the main character is determined to get what she wants. She is horrified by the fact that Lar the one who asked for her hand in marriage is destined to marry her sister Inge only because she is rich. When Helga learns of this she confronts Lar and he pretty much tells her he is sorry but that a handsome troll man like himself needs to be rich so he is ultimately going to marry her sister who is the richest besides the troll king. Helga is scared of the fact that the God One-eyed Odin stated 1000 years ago, that all unmarried trolls would wander the earth forever. Helga was determined to make her own riches so she can come back to marry Lar and she tells him to wait for her. She leaves and is clever in earning all her riches by working hard and out clevering the other trolls that want to out clever her. She is approached by her sister Inge in the midst of all Helga’s hard work just to tell her that she will be marrying Lar the next day. Infuriated, Helga works harder and earns a dowry bigger than her sister’s and returns back. Lar hears of her dowry that is now bigger than Inge’s and tells her that he will marry her after all. She is very upset and shouts at him that he never loved her and was interested only for her riches, and she tells him that she would never marry him and preferred to wander the earth forever. She wanted someone to love her for who she was, and not for what they had. In the end, ultimately she ends up marrying the troll king and lives happily ever after. I applaud Tomie dePaola for the good morals in the story. Also, the theme of love and not material things goes recognized.
Reviewed: Maria Trejo (May 30, 2008)
Bernier-Grand, Carmen T. César ¡Sí, se Puede! Marshall Cavendish Children's Books, Pura Belpré Honor, 2004. 48 Pages. Ages 4-8. Genre: Poetry. Language: English
This poem book tells the life of a once very famous and courageous man who stood up for what he believed to be justice. This book retells the inspiring life of Césario Estrada Chávez. Carmen T. Bernier-Grand born in 1947, wrote her first story in second grade but was discouraged by words from her sister and did not write again until her children were born in 1981. Carmen has two children. She is a poet and a politician in Puerto Rico. Carmen is married to a Canadian. The book, “Cesar “won the Pura Belpré Honor Award. She has also been recognized for the following: Eloise Jarvis McGraw Award Finalist, American Library Association Notable, Notable Social Studies Trade Book, and Notable Book for a Global Society, and the Tomas Rivera Mexican-American Children’s Book Award Nominee.
This book has wonderful illustrated color pictures. She presents a powerful biography of Césario Estrada Chávez in chronological order. The poetic story begins when he is a child and finishes up to how he became this powerful organizer of people rights. The story has a lot of Spanish words and has a glossary in the back of the book. The pictures are beautifully illustrated. This book is an excellent source of information and describes all the core values that Chávez possessed. He represented equality for people, community, knowledge, determination, sacrifice, innovation, respect for life and environment. He made a change for “La Causa” “The Cause”. This book would be inspiring to any student within the classroom. I would use this book in my classroom.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo (May 31, 2008)
Andreae, Giles. Barnyard Hullabaloo. Little Tiger Press, 1999. 24 Pages. Ages 4-8. Genre: Picture Book. Language: English
This book is beautifully colorful. It is a book of barnyard animals that details what there sounds and habits are. Giles Andreae describes this with huge pictures of the animals. He uses rhymes in this book and scatters his words out as to give personality to the animals. Giles, born in 1966, lives with his wife and four children in London. He has written well over 100 children’s books. Giles’s first creation was Purple Ronnie, being one of the most successful licensed cartoon characters in his native England. This book earned him recognition in the U.K as top selling living poet and he was also an icon of contemporary pop culture. The Lion Who Wanted to Love won the Red House Best Picture Book Award in 1998; Giraffes Can’t Dance has become established as an international children’s classic. Giles’s children’s book has sold more than 2 million copies, making him one of the most successful children’s authors today.
I really enjoyed looking and reading at this books. Its big pictures illustrated a fun-loving personality for all of the barnyard animals. It animated them by stating the sounds that each animal make. This book is great for younger children. It used rhyming words to detail what each animal liked doing. It also describes the activity that the animals do both inside and outside of the barnyard. He brings life to the book.
Reviewed by: Maria Trejo (May 30, 2008)